INDEPENDENCE DAY We will essentially have to return to the settings of what the referendum question was!

(Patria) - On the occasion of March 1, Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Criminalistics, Criminology and Security Studies, in partnership with the Faculty of Law of the University of Zenica and the Council of the Congress of Bosniak Intellectuals organized a scientific conference "March 1 – Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Challenges and Perspectives".



The conference brought together prominent names from the academic and wider social community, and speakers included Miro Lazović, academician Mirko Pejanović, academician Ejup Ganić, Prof. Dr. Jasmin Ahić, Prof. Dr. Lada Sadiković, General Vahid Karavelić, Prof. Dr. Goran Kovačević, Prof. Dr. Sead Turčalo, academician Kasim Trnka, MSc Emir Zlatar, Prof. Dr. Bakir Alispahić, Prof. Dr. Larisa Velić, Prof. Dr. Edina Bećirević, Prof. Dr. Ivo Komšić, Prof. Dr. Edita Hasković, Assistant Prof. Dr. Nerma Halilović-Kibrić, Kenan Hodžić, MA, Strajo Krsmanović, Adil Kulenović, Dr. Sci. Kata Senjak, Prof. Dr. Dževad Drino, Prof. Dr. Sakib Softić, Prof. Dr. Enis Omerović, Admir Katica, Ajdin Huseinspahić and numerous other participants. All those present were also greeted by the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, and the Rector of the University of Zenica, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Duraković.



Rector of the University of Sarajevo Rifat Škrijelj said at a press conference before the start of the conference that with today's gathering, the academic community is contributing to this significant date.

"March 1, Independence Day of BiH, is one of the most important dates in the recent history of BiH, and today's conference is an effort by the academic community of UNSA and the University of Zenica, as well as the Council of the Congress of Bosniak Intellectuals as co-organizers, to once again express before the public our respect for those who brought about a successful referendum.

The referendum provided BiH with the prerequisite for an independent state, after the breakup of Yugoslavia and before the UN," said Škrijelj.

Academician Mirko Pejanović said that the fact that citizens turned out for the referendum in a very high percentage is very important.

"Citizens turned out with 64 percent, in conditions when the army was already active, so fear prevailed. This shows that citizens from all our places, municipalities, and centers came out to the referendum and voted for the status by their own will. 99.44 percent of those who came out to the referendum answered affirmatively to the referendum question," said Pejanović.

He spoke about the importance of the question itself, which read: "Are you in favor of a sovereign and independent Bosnia and Herzegovina, a state of equal citizens, the peoples of BiH - Muslims, Serbs, Croats and members of other nations living in it?"

"The question contains the main principle of the first session of ZAVNOBiH. Based on the results of the referendum, the member states of the European Community and major world powers granted BiH international recognition," said Pejanović.

He noted that the referendum was conducted under international supervision.

"Little is known that 600 observers were in 16 regional centers at the time of the referendum. The head of the observer mission said in his report that the referendum was conducted fairly and successfully and with the full will of the citizens of BiH," Pejanović emphasized.

Rector of the University of Zenica Jusuf Duraković emphasized that we must all master much more knowledge that is applicable and practical.

"One of the most important dates is March 1. It is very important to point out that the academic community no longer has the right to remain silent. We must address and speak about all important issues for this country. There should be round tables and conferences, but that will not solve the issue of BiH. We need to talk, because without dialogue there is no progress. I believe that knowledge should prevail, and through knowledge we will unite, and we need to work on the economic development of this country," Duraković emphasized.

Emir Zlatar from VKBI said that this scientific conference joins the public pressure for the authorities to engage without delay in fulfilling the remaining requirements for opening the negotiation process for EU accession.

"What is specific about that March 1 is that it was suspended by Dayton, because the Constitution of the Republic of BiH was suspended, a new Constitution was imposed, about which citizens never expressed their opinion. BiH has been operating under these circumstances for more than 20 years. We believe that all steps that go in that direction, i.e., BiH's Brussels path, will in principle and essentially have to return to the settings of what the referendum question was, from which we have strayed," Zlatar emphasized.

Professor Lada Sadiković also reminded of the importance of March 1, as well as the entire process, and emphasized the fact that BiH will have to implement the judgments from Strasbourg, because respect for human rights is key.